Q and A with the Dali Lama

A local organization is trying to raise money and consciousness
amongst Whistler’s youth.

The philosophical and spiritual documentary, 10 Questions for
the Dalai Lama will be screened at the Whistler Youth Centre at MY Millennium
Place. The filmmaker, Rick Ray, travels to visit the 14
th
Dalai
Lama, asking tough questions, like, “Why are the poor traditionally so much
happier than the wealthy?”; “Is it necessary for a society to abandon its
centuries-old traditions to move into the future?”; and “How does one committed
to non-violence respond when faced with inevitable violence?”

For answers to these questions and more, come to the screening
on Monday, April 14 at 7 p.m. Admission is $10.

Creative kids

Whistler’s longest running summer festival, the Whistler
Children’s Art Festival, is coming back to celebrate its 25
th
year
this summer.

The weekend of arts and entertainment, which will take place in
Creekside on the weekend of July 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., features
a wide range of performances and activities to get children’s creative juices
flowing.

Last year’s festival featured a variety of wacky and outrageous
acts, from the Vancouver Aquarium’s sea-loving squad, Bobs & Lolo, the
First Nations storyteller and musician, Art Napoleon, and the magical musical
stylings of Zany Zack.

“The 2007 festival was a hit,” said Traci Despatis, event
manager of the Whistler Children’s Art Festival. “Not only did our main stage
performers entertain, but our roving performers kept the crowds captivated all
week despite the beach-enticing weather.”

The festival’s Scotiabank Workshops also offer kids a chance to
dig in and get their hands dirty, with 65 hands-on workshops in sketching,
dance, drumming, mural painting, dress-up, photography, wood carving and
chocolate dipping to appeal to all ages and interests.

Entrance to the festival grounds is $5 per day for children
over the age of two, while parents play for free.

The Whistler Arts Council (WAC) wants you! Well, only if you’re
a talented local artist.

WAC is asking visual artists and artisans within the Sea to Sky
corridor to apply for the fifth annual ArtWalk, which will feature a variety of
paintings, photos, multimedia, fibre arts, sculpture, pottery and jewelry
throughout Whistler Village from July 1 until Aug. 31.

ArtWalk’s walking tour aims to connect local businesses, like
cafes, bookstores, retail outlets and hotels with the local arts, and create
opportunities for the artists to showcase their work in high-traffic venues.

Last year, ArtWalk included 30 venues and 50 artists.

Interested applicants must provide three to eight photos of
their work on a hard disk or in a high-quality portfolio, half of which should
be images they intend to display at ArtWalk. Deadline for applications is
Monday, May 5 at 4 p.m. For more detailed application guidelines, visit
www.whistlerartscouncil.com

Celebrating the new library

The new Whistler Public Library (WPL) is opening in grand
style, with a full week of “Libration” celebrations planned.

Events kick off on Friday, April 11 with a teen write-off. The
next day, four new and noteable Vancouver-based authors discuss their
influences and inspiration with Whistler Read’s founder, Paula Shackleton. On
Sunday, local figures join in discussion about limits to free expression in
Whistler, and on Monday afternoon, children from the Lil’Wat Nation perform
First Nations drumming and dancing. On Tuesday afternoon, four well-known local
chefs discuss their inspirations and favourite cookbooks, and the following
evening, Ivan Coyote regales audience members with her kitchen table stories.
Finally, festivities wrap up on Thursday, April 17 with a martini party,
featuring literary-themed martinis, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment.
While most events are free, some are ticketed. For a detailed schedule of
events, visit
www.whistlerlibrary.ca
.

Kids croon in spring concert

This year, the Whistler Children’s Chorus, a 55-member choir
ranging in age from six to 18 years, will join voices with the Kamloops
Thompson Honour choir to present their spring concert.

Together, 105 children will perform in this free concert on
Friday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Mountain Catholic Church.